Questions+and+Reflection+on+Power+of+Network+Learning+Introduction+and+Chapter+1

How do the problems on pp. 8 & 9 reflect conditions in your school district?

Is your school district reforming the way it presents education? How?
With Harrisburg growing so rapidly it is important that we continually look to see how education is changing in our district. I feel we are doing a very good job of trying to adjust to what students will need. The challenge is difficult because of the continually advancement in technology. The best way to look at this would be with our newest elementary schools. Journey's technology was at the time the best available, but by standards very basic. Our newest elementary in some aspects is already out of date and in other aspects is ahead of its time. Each room has an AppleTV that can be used both independently and to stream video from the computer and mirror what is on an iPad. Our future elementary, which is scheduled to open Fall of 2013 their is already discussions about what technology will go in their. The biggest discussion is whether or not to use SMART boards or to change to more of an iPad and iPod touch for the classrooms. Personally I feel this is a tremendous way to go because the SMART board only allows 1-2 users to work on the board at a time, iPod touches would allow everyone. Our district is doing a good job trying to reform but it is a challenge for a variety of reasons. The first reason is the concept of fairness. Administrators understandable do not want to show favoritism towards certain teachers so if something is given to one it needs to be given to all. This is a poor use of funds because often times not everyone will use what is given to their fullest potential. An example of this is each teacher recently acquired a document camera. This is admittedly a handy device that I have not used very often, but other teachers in our school have utilized quite a bit. A second challenge that deals with reforming is the teacher. Some teachers embrace change and want to integrate technology more, while others do the minimum they have to in order to get by. It has only been in the past 3 years that teachers have been given administrative rights on their own computers. This is something that is wonderful because schools need to be able to trust teachers. I feel this was a great step in the right direction simply because it will eventually open up the door to more students rights. The more I learn about allowing students to bring in their own devices the more I feel it is the right thing to do. That will tie into filtering for schools I believe that some filers need to be in place, but in this day in age it is more important to teach students the acceptable uses of technology then trying to shelter them from it completely.

-Under"The Big Shift" pp. 15-18, the authors have listed six significant shifts in education. Choose two and discuss how you are making or would like to make this shift in your teaching.
Tethered to Mobile At the end of the year last year I began allowing students to bring in their mobile devices into the classroom. This had little enthusiasm as only 4-5 students brought in their devices. At the beginning of the year, during open house, I talked with the parents about how they will eventually be allowed to bring in their devices. In November I opened the doors to allowing the devices to come in to the classroom and again only had a few students, but after Christmas in my classroom alone we have seen an increase in mobile devices. Eight students received some type of mobile device over Christmas. The fifth grade has also been given permission to open this up to all three sections of 5th grade. The reasoning behind allowing students to bring in their own devices is because often times they have more advanced hardware then what schools do.

Consumption to Creation This year I started to shift my social studies to more of a project based approach. With information literally at our fingertips with mobile technology it is more important for students to understand basic ideas, which by using appropriate search tools would allow them to expand their understanding. We have done a variety of things already this year. Some items include using iMovie, Garage Band and Keynote. Other projects that we have done are non technology such as creating diorama's and posters.

-In reading Chapter 1 on "Understanding the Power of PLNs" (Personal Learning Networks), discuss two reasons why you believe PLNs are important in schools today.
PLNs are important in schools today because students are quickly becoming the ones in the classroom that have a better education as far as technology goes. Teachers need to continue to expand their thinking and ideas and a PLN is a great way to do this. When a teacher is trying to come up with ideas in how to inspire students it is great that teachers can go beyond the classroom doors and into the world the students came from. This is especially true when so many students have lived in a variety of states.By using PLNs teachers can become better teachers. Another benefit of PLN networks is you no longer rely on a few individuals to help you out when things don't go correct. It is not uncommon during the day that I have another teacher come and ask a technology question when I am gone they don't have anyone readily available to go to. A PLN is a great resource, but it is important that you do not abuse your PLN. One example of this would be asking a simple question that good have been asked to Google.